4000 Reasons Not to Build the Northern Gateway Pipeline

4000 Reasons Not to Build the Northern Gateway Pipeline

The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Community Hearings are nearly complete, with two remaining sessions scheduled in Kelowna and Vancouver at the end of this month. Come February, the Joint Review Panel will move into the “Questioning Phase” of the final hearing, scheduled to end in May of this year.

The hearings have provided an opportunity for the pipeline's opposition to state their concerns with the $6 billion project. Thousands of individuals applied to participate in the hearings as official 'intervenors,' to the chagrin of the federal ministries appointed to carry the process out. At this time last year federal Minister of Natural Resources, Joe Oliver, accused 'radical' environmentalists and 'extremists' of intentionally over-burdening the hearings.

Yet many of those who live along the proposed pipeline route feel their concerns are legitimate and deserve to be heard, whether inside or outside the scheduled sessions.

Some of the creative opposition British Columbians have expressed is captured in the short video 4000 Reasons, featured below. Created by the conservation group, Driftwood Foundation, 4000 Reasons shows that for every intervenor, you'll find another reason not to build the pipeline.

DeSmog asked Driftwood Foundation director, Wes Giesbrecht, to explain the inspiration behind the film and the festival it highlights.

1. What is the Driftwood Foundation?

Driftwood Foundation is a registered charity which was formed in Smithers, British Columbia, in 1991. Our purposes in forming were to sponsor cultural events that would draw attention to the beauty and unique nature of the Bulkley Valley and to use research to promote full and informed public involvement in recreation and resource plans.

2. What was the original inspiration for the 4000 Reasons film? And can you explain the film's title?

The film is a snap-shot of the two-day 4000 Reasons Festival, an event that was planned by our directors over a nine-month period. In keeping with our mandate, we wanted to use the arts to draw attention to the beauty of this area and the threat to it posed by this pipeline.

The title is a response to Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver’s statement that over 4000 people were ‘clogging’ the system by registering to appear before the Joint Review Panel. We got the idea for this title from a festival performer who said that if 4000 people were going to speak to the panel that would be 4000 reasons to not build the pipeline.

3. What do people in your community feel is threatened by Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline?

The Skeena watershed (the Bulkley River is one tributary) is one of the few large watersheds in North America that is still intact. The people in our community are most concerned about the quality of water in our river and the threat to our wild salmon stocks that this pipeline poses. Our wild salmon resource supports a healthy and attractive lifestyle, a resource that is a significant economic factor in attracting people from all over the world.

4. Do the people in your community feel like their voices are being heard by Enbridge?

I think people feel that despite the cynicism about the effectiveness of the Joint Review Panel process, the chance to speak to something about which they are passionate has been a unifying and positive thing. I also think people are hoping to influence the decision makers (JRP and the Federal Government) rather than Enbridge.

5. 4000 Reasons features a lot of creative expression from pipeline opponents. What is the value of artistry in a battle that seems dominated by political ideas of economy?

While economic arguments are important they are often incomplete and don’t take into account quality of life issues that are often overlooked in deciding the validity of industrial proposals. The artistry seen in this film flows from the performers strong emotional connection to place. I think the value of an artistic presentation is that it can reach a different and more diverse audience than a simple economic argument can.

6. Do you feel average Canadians understand what the concerns of British Columbians are?

It’s hard to say, although this issue has certainly gained a lot of national and international attention. I think the message that this is about First Nations rights, wild salmon rivers and a pristine coastline has been received by most Canadians.

7. Do members of your community feel they have the power to stop the pipeline's construction if it is approved?

I think they feel empowered by the overwhelming opposition to this pipeline that the communities in the northwest have shown. They also know that if the pipeline is approved there will likely be many legal challenges issued before any construction starts.

Previous Comments

Priceless video… of an exceptional event .. that you for spreading the word !

We all need positive stories of exemplars & ordinary folk from the tribe called Canada

What struck me dumb with admiration n pride was the obious concern, honesty, community strength, laughter, humanity, hope, elders, the children.. the sharing. That's the Canada I recognize.. not the dark twisting and manipulation of petroleum entities, conservative mouthpieces, manipulaters undermining democracy etc.

The 4000 speak to and deliver vibrant Canadian cummunity and culture.. the real deal, passion, the electorate, environment, the citizenry.. very much a wonderful sample of who and what makes Canada special

I often point out how we outnumber the thugs that have formed a runaway government. The numbers are indisputable. we could empty Parliament and the Commons in a flash. Put a corrosive PMO, its caucus, its apparatchiks, remoras, back room manipulators, think wankers, lobbyists, robo cancers out on the lawn and the sidewalk in front of the Parliament Buidlings .. then demand they present themselves to the Federal Courts to explain their misdeeds.. and apologize to the tribe called Canada.

Hell, the entire cleansing process would be a stunning improvement on a prorogue ..

Democracy is utterly dependent upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.

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